The Moving Finger

The Moving Finger (1943) Agatha Christie

Jerry Burton and his sister Joanna have rented a house in Lymstock, on doctor’s orders, in the hopes that time in the country will make Jerry’s recover from his serious injury easier.

Sadly, the quite stay in the country is spoiled by a series of poison pen letters sent to Jerry and everyone in the village.

…(S)omebody wanted to hurt. To take it with a laugh was perhaps the best way–but deep down, it wasn’t funny…

On the other hand, his interest in the letters keeps him from thinking about his injury and slow recovery.

It’s interesting that although the copyright is 1943, there’s no particular mention of WWII. I suppose that people wanted to forget the war while it was going on.

And again, I’ll note that the despite being written 70 years ago, so much of the dialog is timeless.

‘Don’t you think you’re being rather morbid?’ I asked. ‘Yes,’ said Megan. ‘That’s what people always say when you’re saying the truth.’

‘God doesn’t really need to punish us, Miss Barton. We’re so very busy punishing ourselves.’

I’m thoroughly enjoying re-reading these books, and may well read them all before this damned cold is through with me.
Rating: 8/10

Published by HarperCollins

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